Netball: A few southern stings

About now the Southern Sting are probably thanking their lucky stars that they failed to lure Australian captain Liz Ellis across the Tasman.

Had the defending champions secured star defender Ellis they would never have stumbled across Natalie Avellino, who has become the team's saviour following the loss of Tania Dalton in the second round.

Many believed that without the accurate Dalton under the hoop, the Sting had little chance of securing their sixth consecutive title. But up stepped Avellino, who combines so well with her teammates it looks like she has been there forever.

"I suppose the Southland community were a bit unsure of what would happen and how I would go," Avellino said.

"So I was really happy with the first full game I played against the Diamonds, where I think I got player of the day. It was good for me to show that I could step up and replace Tania."

A regular in Australia's Commonwealth Bank Trophy competition for the past seven years, Avellino was a member of the Australian team in 1994 and 1995.

She was part of the side who won the world championship in Birmingham in 1995, which she says gives her some ammunition when the subject of last year's world championship arises.

"I just say I played in the 1995 world champs where we beat New Zealand in the semifinal and South Africa in the final.

"They are like 'Oh shut up'."

It was actually former Australian coach Jill McIntosh who recommended Avellino to the Sting when Ellis opted to stay in Australia.

"I knew the Sting's history and how good a team they were and replied 'Yes, very interested,' when they asked me," Avellino said.

Traditionally a goal attack, she was thrown in the deep end just two rounds into the competition when goal shoot Dalton blew out her Achilles tendon.

"Tania is a quality player ... I wasn't going out there to replace her. I was going out there to bring in my game."

Although Avellino is similar to Dalton in that she is very mobile, her greatest asset is her vision. The way she connects with goal attack Donna Loffhagen has made them the most lethal attacking combination in the competition.

"A lot of people have asked me about my vision and I think it is just natural," said Avellino. "It is not something I work on, it just happens."

She said it was easy for her, as a newcomer, to see why the Sting had been so successful. They did the basics well and moved the ball around in an exciting way.

"We are very safe. I don't think we get flustered ... very rarely do we make errors and I think that is because we have confidence in one another."

Although she is enjoying the competition, Avellino admits it is very physical.

"The Kiwi girls are quite solid and their defence is so different. Australia is more one-on-one, whereas over here it is very much zone defence and taking the space when you want to make a drive, which I feel can be a little bit dangerous.

"I have ended up with a few bumps and bruises but that is all part of it."

Also part of it is living in Invercargill.

"It is not the end of the Earth like everyone seems to think. It gets cold but that is something you just have to get used to."

So would she consider returning next season?

"It is something I will consider, but I am getting on a bit and the Sting might want to start developing some young players."


NATALIE AVELLINO

Born: Sydney, December 15, 1970.

Occupation: Works in sales and administration at Sydney's Superdome.

Height: 1.77m.

Positions: GA, WA, GS.

Career highlights:

1994/95: Australian international.

2004: Southern Sting.

1997/98, 2000/01/02: Sydney Sandpipers.

1999: Melbourne Phoenix.

2003: Adelaide Thunderbirds.